Episiotomy pain - any tips for how to cope with it? Please?!

[missbumpy]

I gave birth 5 days ago and had a "small" episiotomy (although it didn't feel small to me!). They left me for 3 hours after labour before stitching me up. I'm finding the stitches/scar absolutely agonising. It hurts me too much to sit down at the moment. The community midwife checked it the other day and said it looked fine and it's not infected and they told me to expect it to be sore for 3 weeks or so. So I know this is all normal...I'm just need some tips for coping with the pain in the meantime. I can't not sit down for 3 weeks!

I've been taking salt baths with lavender oil every day and I've been taking paracetemol. Just wondering if anyone else had any tips that might help me cope with this.

[scorpio1]

what about a cool gel pad?

here

[DumbledoresGirl]

Have you tried sitting on a rubber ring? This help me a lot. It takes the pressure of the painful part.

Also, has anyone recommended arnica to you? I remember being told about this by my mw after she saw my bottom after my episiotomy and it was black and blue all over!

Is weeing a problem? If so, drink lots to prevent your wee getting too strong and wee in a bath - sound disgusting but you can always clean the bath if you need to. Honestly, weeing under water is a great relief!

Can't remember any other tips - this was all 11 years ago for me now. I know it feels awful though, you poor thing. If me memory serves me right, I think the discomfort eased before 3 weeks were up, so hopefully you will find that too.

[DumbledoresGirl]

Apologies for typos.

I tried a gel pad/ice pad thingy when I had my episiotomy, but I found it very offputting having something cool and wet down there!

[DumbledoresGirl]

Oh I have remembered another tip. If pooing is a problem (straining to poo I mean) put your feet up on a low stool so you are in more of a squatting position. That helps.

[DrNortherner]

Poor you. I had this too.

I got a velley cushion of my MW which helped alot, if you can't get one a rubber ring also works.

Salt bath every day and allow the air to get to your fanjo at least once a day (difficult if you have visitors!)

[NineUnlikelyTales]

I found I used to confuse the episiotomy pain with a touch of cystitis. It improved when I started drinking Lemon Barley Water (my standard cure). Otherwise, if you pour a jug of warm water over yourself while you wee, it will help. That's on your bits, not over your head obviously

[Bky]

Sorry you are feeling sore, I had an episiotomy and got a second degree tear (forceps) just over a year ago. Like you I couldn't sit, could barely walk just managed a sort of shuffle.

To be honest i can't think of anything that really helped, try and give it as much 'fresh air' as possible and make sure you dry yourself properly, maybe using a hair dryer if it has a cool setting.

By about day 10 I was feeling a huge amount better, before then every day seemed to just get worse but that was def a turning point.

[FurryFox]

I'd second the arnica. I took the tiny little tablet things and am certain they helped

[DumbledoresGirl]

Oh yes the hair dryer is a great tip. I used a hair dryer to dry between my legs after every birth, even though I only had an episiotomy for the first. Even without a cut/tear, you still feel quite delicate down below for a few days afterwards. The hair dryer though is a lovely gentle and hygienic way to dry yourself.

LOL at airing your fanjo when you have visitors!

[spookthief]

I was given cocodamol for pain. You maybe need something a little stronger than paracetamol. Also, you can take ibuprofen as well as paracetamol if it will make you more comfortable.

[SqueakyBroomstickBrushes]

i realised half the pain from mine was coming from clunky maternity pads that felt like a rock to sit on. i switched to always ultra and felt much better

[missbumpy]

Thanks for the tips. It's actually not too bad when I wee (I just 'hover' and lean right forward so that the wee isn't flowing over the stitches...sorry if TMI). It's more that it hurts to sit down and generally walk about.

I hadn't thought of giving it a good airing. Not sure how that would work though as I'm still bleeding a lot so I can't go without a maternity pad.

[DumbledoresGirl]

Even if you can't go without a pad on, you can still "air" the area by wearing skirts without tights instead of trousers.

Not sure anyone has said it yet, but congratulations on the baby btw!

[BrownSuga]

my midwife recommended badedas in the bath - the green one only, it has horse chestnut and helps healing, i had a bath every day, sometimes twice with it. and used arnica too.

[missbumpy]

Thanks Oh yes, I've been wearing just cotton knickers and skirts or loose pyjamas rather than jeans or tights or anything. I'll have my salt bath in a bit and see if that helps.

Thanks for all the advice.

[lulalullabye]

another tip my midwife gave me was to put my pads in the fridge. Dry but cooling. And oh the joy of peeing in the bath, what a nice feeling !

[missbumpy]

Good idea about putting pads in fridge. Might give that a go later.

[bigboydiditandranaway]

I used fem pads that dh put in the freezer, you slip them into a mesch type bandage and pop them in your knickers - bliss...
Also had loads of baths with lavender oil in.
And took arnica tablets but i think they were to help stop the blood flow.

You will feel better quicker than you think, it's quite a horible thing to go through but just keep looking at your dc and it'll make you feel better

[NoNameToday]

Hi missbumpy.

Congratulations on your new b
aby, sorry the episiotomy pain is spoiling your new mum time.

You can ask for a prescription for Diclofenic, very good for that sort of pain, alternate it with Cocodamol.

A good tip to relieve pain is to ensure you have your bowels opened! Increased pressure from a loaded rectum makes the pain more intense.

I know people are often frightened of opening their bowel for fear of pain and bursting the stitches, try taking pain killers and waiting about an hour, then got to the toilet and give yourself time.

I think other posters have covered other practical ways to ease the pain.

Hope you soon feel better.

[CheekymonkeysGreatestHits]

I used a pad to hold against stitches when I needed a number two. It is a horrid pain but it will go quickly.
Congratulations by the way

[Piccalilli2]

Te tree oil in the bath is quite soothing as well I seem to remember.

[MadamePlatypus]

Arnica. Don't know what it would have been like without, but I honestly think it helped, even if only for placebo effect of being able to take another pill.

[missbumpy]

Thanks. I'm actually ok with going to the toilet. I was a bit scared at first but it's not as bad as I thought it would be. I'd like to get some stronger painkillers though as paracetemol just isn't cutting the mustard! Would the community midwives be able to prescribe that or will I need to go to my GP?

[NoNameToday]

Gp will need to prescribe Diclofenic, it's commonly used in the hospital post delivery and a lot of ladies get given it to tkae home.

You may be able to phone for a prescription, your GP will should have been informed of your delivery by now.

Hope that helps.

[Bramshott]

Try soaking your maternity pad in witch hazel.